PROVINCIAL NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 285, 26 August 1908, Page 5

PROVINCIAL NEWS.

(khom oon special coitnnsroNDiiNTS.) . o . PALMERSTOiN T . Thd River Commission returned from Pohangiiw on Monday evening. Yesterday the members went up the river from Palmerston as far as Mr. Flygcr's place, and from there down to Longburn. To-day they liopo to inspect the bank between Longburn and Oroua Bridge. To-morrow they will journoy from Fcilding to Awahura, and inspect the Oroua and Kiwitoa Streams, and on Friday they will probably go from Awaliuri to Oroua Bridge, journeying from thcro to Foxton on Saturday. The death is announced of Mr. W. E. A. Slack, one of tho most popular and noted breeders of purebred stock in tho Dominion. Tho sad event took place yesterday morning, following a severe attack of pneumonia after but a few days' illness. Deceased was a prominent member of tho A. and P. Association, and took a keen interest in any movement tending towards its advancement. His death comes as a scvero blow to tho other members of tho family, as it is only five weeks since Mr. Slack, senr., passed away.. HASTERTOIf. At tho Masterton Police Court yesterday, before Messrs. Eli Smith and • T. AYagg, J.P.'s, William Todd pleaded guilty to a charge of obtaining from Henry Crowden a saddle and bridle valued at 155., with intent to .defraud. Sergeant Miller said accused carried on a fishmonger's business in Masterton for a month or two. Tho Bench imposed a fino of £5, in default one month's imprisonment. George Markham, an elderly man, admitted a charge of having insufficient lawful moans of support. The Sergeant explained that the old man had been an irrmato of tho Itenall-Solway Homo, • which , he left, and the Benevolent Society now refused to readmit him, as he had been addicted to drinking lately. Ho was remanded for a week in order that an effort might bo made to have him admitted to the Ohiro Home. The directors of tho Workers' Mutual Benefit Building Society held their monthly meeting on Monday evening. Mr. R. Krahagen presided, and there wero also present: Messrs. J. Prentice, A. Gardner, W. H. Cole, H. 0. Fowler, J. Candy, and T. S. Cresswell. Tho treasurer reported that subscriptions wore coming in freely in connection with the forthcoming ballot on, Thursday next, the bank-book showing a credit balanco of £735 ss. 9d. Three new shares wero applied for and allotted. Application for an advance of £100 on a loan appropriation was referred to tho : society's valuers. It was decided to pay tho money if a satisfactory report was received. At a special meeting of the Board of Management of tho Y.M.C.A. on Monday evening, tho resignation of Mr. A. E. Rees as hon. general secretary was accepted with regrot, and Mr. N. C. Marshall was appointed to fill tho vacancy. EEILDING. A deputation representing tho Druids Lodge waited on Mr. F. Y. Lethbridge, M.P., at tho railway station yesterday, as ho was leaving for Wellington, in reference to the Friendly Societies Bill. The Bill in its present state compels all societies to state tho fees payable by members, and this tho Druids are unable to do, as thoir death levy is only called up when a member dies, and is thereforo' not a fixed quantity. Mr. Lethbridge -was asked to support an amendment in tno Bill exempting the Druids from these particular clauses.. ' ■ • ■ ' CARTERTON. At a sitting of the Magistrate's Court held yesterday,; Messrs.. Jas. Brown, Jas. Baillie, and Wi F. Roydhouse, J.P.'s presided, and disposed of tho following cases for plaintiffs by default:—A. Stepm'a v. 0. A, Cadwallader, claim £1 17s. lid., costs Bs.; Wra. Moriarty v. Alf.Attreo,..claim £3 18s. 3d., costs _Bs. '■■■'■ Ernest Sinclair, alias Walters, was charged with the theft of a pananm hat, a lKstrifled wood; ornament, four paper fans, and: a pen. Accused was represented-" by Mr. Lavcry, Constable M'Kelvoy representing the police. Accused , was sentenced to two months' imprisonment. GEET.TOWN. To bid farewell to Mr. D. C. Humphrey, who is leaving tho district to go further north, a social was held in tho Fire Brigade station by tho members of the brigade on Monday evening last. Several farewell speeches were made and replied to by Mr. Humphrey. Advantage was taken of tho gathering to present tho prizes won at the eiichro, tournament. The following were tho winners:—Messrs. J. Braggins, H. T. Roes, E. Workman, A. Haigh, and W. Gates. Another farewell social was held in the Oddfellows' Hall to bid farowoll to Mrs. and Miss Craig, ,who have resided in tho town .for a number of years, the latter b'eing organist for the Presbyterian Church. Mr. and Mrs. Craig are now about, to go to tho South Island. • WOODVILLE. Tho Woodville railway staff on Monday night farowolled and made presentation of a handsomo smoking outfit to Mr. W. AValsh, who is being shifted to Waipukurau ' after four years and a half service at Woodville sub-terminus. . ■ FEATHERSTON. . The monthly- meeting of the Fire Brigade was held on Monday night. Captain Check presiding. Tho resignation of Messenger Hardio . was received and accoptod. Mr. E. Walker was elected a member of the brigade. Lioutenant T. Sheen was granted sis months' leave of absence. ' Mr. W. J. Martin has donated two guineas towards tho funds of tho Martinborough Brass Band. Messrs. A. D. and E. M'Master, of South Wairarapa, intend shortly to visit England.